Picture frame



June 1950 J. A. PACKHEISER 2,511,785

PICTURE FRAME Filed Nov. 23, 1946 H mmvroa dose 0&4. Hzckzedser msArron/vs).

Patented June 13, 1950 1 Claim.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in pictureframes. More particularly, th invention relates to a simple andeffective arrangement for releasably latching a picture assembly withinthe frame. As such, the invention has for one of its objects theprovision of an improved construction of this character which will behighly efficient in use and economical in manufacture.

Among the several objects of this invention is the provision in apicture frame of an arrangement for latching a picture assembly withinthe frame by means which requires th use of no tools, nails or otherlike instruments and material.

Another and equally important object of the invention is the provisionfor latching a picture assembly in a, frame by means which can bereadily removed by the insertion of the finger through a finger notchprovided for that purpose.

A still further object of th invention is the provision of a latchingarrangement for a picture assembly which requires no tools for mountingor removing the latching means from picture assembly latching position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a picture frame embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the base shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 3-3 ofFig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig.2.

The several objects of my invention are accomplished by the preferredform of construction shown and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.The form or design of the picture frame, so far as is material to thepresent invention, may vary according to the desire and taste of themanufacturer.

In the drawings, my improved picture frame comprises a base 10, which issubstantially a flat elongated formation and serves to support thepicture frame in an upright position.

Formed in this base, adjacent opposite ends thereof, are openings II andfixedly secured in these openings by friction or other means are thelower end portions of side frame elements I2.

These side frame elements l2 ar provided with confronting grooves l3,into which the edge portion M of a picture assembly l5 are slidablyreceived.

This picture assembly may consist of a glass I6, a picture I! and a backplate l8.

The upper end portions of these sid frame elements I2 are connectedtogether by a top frame element l9, also having a groove (not shown),similar to the groove I3, for receiving the top edge portion of thepicture assembly l5.

Formed in the base I0 is an elongated slot 20 communicating with thgrooves l3 and through which the picture assembly l5 is passed formounting in the grooves l3.

Formed in the base portion of the side frame elements l2, that is, theportions of thes elements which may be referred to as a part of the baseH], are confronting notches 2|. Mounted in the slot 20 is an elongatedleaf spring acting as a latch bar of a width substantially less than thewidth of the slot 2|], but of a suflicient width to have disposedthereon the lower edge portions 23 of the picture assembly IS. Theopposite end portions of this latch bar 22 project into the keepernotches 2|. This latch bar 22, being formed of spring material, iscapable of being flexed so as to disengage its opposite end portionsfrom the notches 2|.

To facilitate flexing this latch bar 22, I provide in the base I0,adjacent th slot 20, a finger notch whereby the finger may be projectedto dispose either the nail or a portion thereof into flexing positionwith respect to the latch bar 22.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it is apparent that I provide a picture fram which is simplein structure, easy of assembly and thereby capable of being manufacturedat an economical cost.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my inventi-on into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of thinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

A picture frame comprising a base, a top frame element, side frameelements extending upwardly from the base and connecting the base to thetop fined in said grooves, said flexible member being adapted to beflexed laterally of its longitudinal length to disengage its oppositeend portion from said notches to permit removal or said picture 1assembly through said slot from between said side frame elements.

JOSEPH A. PACKHEISER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number .;I i Name If 7 Date 353,326 PetrmanriNov. 30, 1886 k $63,500 Follenius Nov. 17, 1891 1,742,378 Boese Jan. 7,1930 4 1,815,841 Gastgivar July 21, 1931 2,050,136 Tucker et al Aug. 4,1936

